Flying in formation or flying apart?

摘要

"We have really started to feel the increasing impact of substitution and competition from other players, so the need for the industry to pull together is as great as it ever was." What are the chances? Well, when Timber Industry Federation (TIP) chief Wayne Coffey comes out lobbing grenades at the corporates, it probably tends to scuttle any hopes of flying in formation any time soon. While Coffey's comments echo the frustration of many in the industry, some members of his own organisation feel this approach does nothing to promote the greater cause. As one independent sawmiller comments, "You'll never get any industry strategy when TIP are seen to be throwing stones. We all know that the blundering performance of corporate management is a problem, but it doesn't change the fact that we all have to work together." Internal bickering is nothing new, and neither are attempts at cooperation. Joint efforts are often forged very successfully, but are these ventures on a large enough scale to keep usfrom flying around in circles? Talk of a new cooperative log export initiative dubbed "Exportco" offered fleeting promise. But as Neilson says, "I don't want to open the papers and read about something that is going to happen or that might happen. I wantto read about it when it's up and running and actually making a difference."